Service: Completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was stationed at other military posts including Goodfellow Air Force Base before being stationed overseas in Iraq.

Wayne Landis had taken a break from college and was sitting in his parents' living room when an Army recruiter called looking for Landis' brother.

Landis informed the recruiter that his brother was away at college, but after some conversation, he enlisted in the Army himself.

After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Landis was transferred to Goodfellow Air Force Base, then to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and served a year tour of duty in Korea. After that it was on to Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Wainwright, Alaska, before he was stationed in Iraq in November 2005.

After only four months of duty in Iraq, Landis suffered gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head and had to be airlifted from his combat post. He was placed on life support for months and eventually medically retired from the Army.

Three years later, a battered but not beaten Landis will serve as the parade marshal for the All Veterans Council of Tom Green County's fifth annual Veterans Day parade on Saturday.

Landis, 28, who is still recovering from his injuries, said he feels honored to have been chosen as marshal.

"You look around and see all the veterans in the area," Landis said. "To represent them is amazing."

The Iraq combat veteran will share the route with veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. His grandfather served during World War II.

Parade Chairman Tim L. Vasquez from the All Veterans Council said entries for the event easily surpassed 100 organizations.

"The response has been overwhelming," Vasquez said. "To put it in perspective, I was speaking to the parade chairman from Austin, and they only have 90 entries. That's a city that's so much larger than San Angelo, and we've got more participation."

Vasquez said there are organizations calling for entries that he wasn't aware existed. "I had no idea there was a Corvette club in town, but they're going to be in the parade," he said.

A huge presence from Goodfellow Air Force Base will be felt during the parade. At last count, Vasquez expected 400 to 600 troops to march the route. Angelo State University's ROTC will participate in the parade for the first time.

Vasquez is looking forward to having Landis marshal the parade. "Wayne participated in our Memorial Day service," Vasquez said. "He walked to place a wreath at the site with a cane and a limp - someone who suffered those types of injuries, and he's walking. There wasn't a dry eye around. His story should be an HBO special. He's an inspiration."